Spinning top or toy



(No Model.)

J. J. GARR. SPINNING TOP 0R TOY.

`Patented July 15,1890.

me nanars versus co4, Fumo-mun., wAsHmcmm, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

JOSEPH J. CARR, OF WILKES-BARRE, ASSIGNOR TO HARVEY YEAGER, OF FORTY FORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPINNING TOP OR TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,476, dated July 15, 1890. Application iiled April 8, 1889. Serial No. 806,295. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. CARR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkes-Barr, Luzerne coun ty, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Spinning-Tops or Like Toys, of which the following is a specification.

The objectof my invention is to so construct a top or like toy that Vthe spinning of the same can be eiected by a simple movement of an operating stem or handle, no winding-cord being necessary. This object I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, of a spinning-top constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of part of the same; and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are views illustrating modifications of the invention.

A represents the body of the top, which in the present instance is a hollow structure composed of sheet metal spun into appropriate form, although it will be understood that the top may be made of other material, and may, if desired, be solid, with the exception of the central opening for the reception of the spinning device.

The device, as shown in Fig. l, consists of a spinning-rod a, secured to and projecting upward within the top, and a spinning-stem l), which is free to move vertically through an opening in t-he upper portion of the top. The spinning-rod a has formed upon it an external screw-thread d, of comparatively steep pitch, and the spinning-stem b is tubular, so that it can be moved up and down over the spinning-rod a, the upper end of said spinning-tube being by preference provided with an operating knob or button f, so that pressure can be conveniently applied to the same.

"io the outside of the tube l) is pivoted a lever g, one arm of Vwhich is acted upon by a spring 7L, the tendency of which is to maint'ain the end ot" the other arm of the lever in engagement with the screw-thread d of the spinning-rod, said engaging end of the lever being preferably abrupt on its under side and inclined or beveled on its upper side, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, or the thread d may, if desired, be abrupt on the upper side and beveled on the under side, in which case the beveling of the end of the lever will not be necessary. (See Fig. 2.

Vithin the spinning-tube b and between the knob or button at the upper end of the same and a cap z' at the upper end of the spinning-rod a is interposed a coiled spring on, the tendency of which is to maintain the spinning-tube Z) at the limit of its upward movement. Vhen the tube is forced downward by pressure exerted upon the knob or button f, the engagement of the lever g with the screw-thread d of the spinning-rod a causes the latter to turn until the engaging end of the lever g has reached the bottom of the thread. If pressure is now removed from the knob or button f at the upper end of the spinning-tube, the spring m will cause the same to rise, the end of the lever g yielding as it passes each convolution of the thread cl on the spinning-rod, owing to the bevel of the engaging-faces of the thread and lever. A further depression of the spinning-tube will in like manner impart a further forward impulse to the spinning-rod a, and hence to the top, and by depressing the spinning-stem b a number of times in succession the top may be caused to rotate with extreme rapidity.

Instead of forming the thread d upon the spinning-rod and providing the spinning-stem with a spring finger or catch for engaging with said thread, the relation of the parts may, if desired, be reversed, as shown, for instance, in Fig. 4, in which the thread d is formed upon the spinning-stem Z2, and the spinning-rod a of the top is hollow and contains the spring m for elevating the spinning-stem, a springcatch g being secured to or forming part of the spinning-rod for engaging with the thread of the stem as the latter is pushed downward and slipping over said thread as the latter rises under the influence of the spring fm.. The lower end of the spinning-rod a projects beyond the casing of the top and hasa supporting-button n swiveled thereto, this button forming a fixed base or step on which the top can spin without detriment to the supporting-surface, the provision of such asupporting button or step, moreover, insuring the spinning` ot the top as readily and easily upon a carpet or other sott surface as upon the table, floor, or other hard and unyielding surface.

If instead of the base or step a ring` n or like attachment for the finger is used, as shown, for instance, in Fig. the top is transformed into a Whizzer or buzzing toy, the ring being adapted to a linger of one hand, and the stem l) operated by the thu mb of the saine hand or by the other hand.

Having thus described my invention, l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of atop or like toy with a spinning or rotating device therefor consisting of a spinning-rod secured to the top and a spinning-stem free to move in and ont, one of said parts having a screwvthread and the other having a linger or catch which engages With the screwsthread and imparts rotating movement when the spinning-stem is moved in one direction, but yields when the stem is moved in the opposite direction, whereby the retraction of the stein can be etected without causing reverse rotation, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a top or like toy with a spinning or rotating device therefor eonsisting of a spinning-rod secured to the top, a spinning-stein free to move in and out, and a spring for retracting said stem after it has been depressed, one of said parts having a screw-thread and the other having a linger or catch which engages with said thread and turns the spinning-rod when the spinningstem is moved in one direction, but yields on the movement of the stein in the opposite direction, substantially as specified.

The combination of the top or like toy with a spinning or rotating device therefor consisting of a spinning-rod secured to the top and having` a screw-thread, a spiiining* stem free to move in and out, a spring for retraeting the stem after it has been depressed, a lever hung to the stem, and a spring acting on one arm of said lever, so as to maintain its other arm in engagement with the thread of the spinning-rod, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH J. CARR. Vitnesses:

.IonN E. PARKER, HARRY SMITH. 

